Published
June 1, 2026
IFF has agreed to an $11 million antitrust settlement over consumer fragrance pricing — but claims are not open yet, so the move now is to register for updates.
There will be no payments to the Settlement Class at this time, and no claim form is available yet. You may be notified later of an opportunity to file a claim. You can register for updates on the official settlement website so you are notified when notice begins and when a claim form becomes available.
You do not need to pay another attorney, company, or individual to file a claim for you if and when the claims process opens.
What Is the Fragrance Antitrust Settlement About?
This is a consumer (end-user) antitrust class action. The End-User Plaintiffs allege that IFF and a group of other fragrance manufacturers and suppliers conspired to restrain trade by, among other things, increasing and fixing the prices of fragrance products, in violation of the federal Sherman Act, various state antitrust and consumer protection laws, and state unjust-enrichment laws. The plaintiffs allege that consumers paid artificially inflated prices for everyday products that contained those fragrance products.IFF denies the claims and denies any wrongdoing or liability. No court has found that IFF or any defendant violated any law. IFF and the End-User Plaintiffs agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation against IFF. The settlement requires Court approval.
Importantly, this settlement is with IFF only. It does not dismiss the claims against the other defendants. The End-User Plaintiffs’ lawsuit continues against the remaining, non-settling defendants, and there may be separate settlements or judgments later.
Status
Register for Updates
claims process has not opened yet
Settlement Amount
$11,000,000
IFF only · case continues against other defendants
Claim Deadline
TBD
no claim form available yet
Proof Required
TBD
What Is the Total Settlement Amount?
The total settlement amount is $11,000,000, paid by IFF, the settling defendant. In addition to the cash payment, IFF has agreed to certain non-monetary relief and to provide specified cooperation in the End-User Plaintiffs’ continued pursuit of the lawsuit against the other defendants.No money will be distributed to Settlement Class Members right now. Class Counsel will continue the lawsuit against the non-settling defendants. Additional money may become available in the future from a trial or future settlements — or the case may be resolved in favor of the other defendants, and no additional money may become available. There is no guarantee.
Who Qualifies for the Settlement?
The Settlement Class is defined as all persons who, from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023, purchased in the United States consumer products or household goods, not for resale, that contained fragrance products manufactured or sold by the defendants or their subsidiaries or affiliates.So long as the purchase was made in the United States, it does not matter whether the seller was located inside or outside the United States.
Certain purchasers and entities are excluded, including: purchasers who bought fragrance products directly from the defendants; purchasers who bought fragrance products (other than directly from the defendants) for incorporation into finished consumer products or household goods; the defendants, their released parties, alleged co-conspirators, and their officers, directors, and employees; any entity in which a defendant or co-conspirator has a controlling interest; the judicial officers and staff handling the case and their immediate families; and any person who submits a valid and timely request for exclusion.
What Products Are Included in the Settlement?
“Fragrance Products” means fragrance ingredients, fragrance formulas, and fragrance compounds — whether natural, synthetic, or otherwise — and related technologies, including those intended to deliver the fragrance. Fragrance products include, without limitation, consumer fragrances and fine fragrances.Important: the settlement administrator has not yet released the specific list of covered consumer products, brands, or SKUs. The official notice states that a list of consumer products and household goods containing fragrance products included in the settlement will be confirmed as the lawsuit continues and will be available at a future date on the official settlement website.
The defendants are mostly upstream fragrance suppliers, not the retail brands you see on store shelves. Because of that, the products at issue could span a wide range of scented consumer goods. Based on the categories these fragrance companies say they supply, potential product categories may include perfume and cologne, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, soap and body care, cosmetics, laundry products, cleaning and dishwashing products, air fresheners and air care, candles, and other home fragrance products. These are examples of the types of products that commonly use fragrance suppliers — they are not a confirmed product or brand list for this settlement. No specific retail brand has been confirmed as covered, and you should rely on the official product list once it is published.
In many products, fragrance components are simply listed as “Fragrance” or “Parfum” on the label rather than naming the upstream supplier, which is part of why it can be hard for a consumer to know which fragrance company was involved. Registering for updates is a good way to find out which products end up on the official list.
Who Are the Defendants?
The settling defendant is International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF). The lawsuit also names the following defendants, who have not settled and against whom the case continues:Givaudan SA
Givaudan Fragrances Corporation
Ungerer & Company, Inc.
Custom Essence LLC
DSM-Firmenich AG
Firmenich International SA
Firmenich Inc.
Agilex Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
Symrise AG
Symrise Inc.
Symrise US LLC
Because the case is still active against these companies, separate notices may be provided later if there are additional settlements or judgments.
How Much Can You Get Paid?
At this time it is unknown how much each Settlement Class Member who files a valid claim would receive, because the claims process is not open yet. According to the official notice, any future payments would be made on a pro rata (proportional) basis — that is, based on the number of valid claims filed by all Settlement Class Members and on the number and type of qualifying consumer products or household goods you purchased.No matter how many claims are filed, no money will be returned to IFF once the Court finally approves the settlement. Any money remaining after claims are paid could be distributed to charities, governmental entities, or other beneficiaries approved by the Court.
How Do I File a Claim?
You cannot file a claim yet. The claims period has not begun, and no claim form is available. The official notice says Settlement Class Members will be notified later, when there is an opportunity to submit a claim form to receive a payment.Registering for updates is not the same as filing a claim. Registering simply helps you receive important notices — including when a claim form becomes available and when there are future settlements with the other defendants — so you can decide whether to file once the claims period opens.
Your Rights and Options Right Now
Even though no claim form is available, you currently have several options:• Do nothing (and register for updates): You will remain in the Settlement Class and may participate in any future payment once a claim form is available. Registering ensures you are notified.
• Exclude yourself (opt out): If you want to keep your right to sue the IFF released parties on your own about the released claims, you must mail a written request for exclusion postmarked by July 27, 2026. If you exclude yourself, you cannot receive money or benefits from this settlement. You cannot opt out by phone or email.
• Object: If you stay in the class but disagree with the settlement or the requested fees, you may file a written objection with the Court by August 17, 2026. You must remain in the class to object.
By staying in this settlement, you are not releasing your claims against any defendant other than IFF.
Important Class Action Settlement Dates
• Class Period: January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023
• Exclusion (Opt-Out) Deadline: July 27, 2026 (postmarked)
• Objection Deadline: August 17, 2026
• Fairness Hearing: September 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
• Claim Form Deadline: TBD (the claims process has not begun)
Note: the date and time of the Fairness Hearing are subject to change without further notice. The Court may also hold the hearing by video or telephone. Check the official settlement website to confirm the date and time.
When Will I Get Paid?
No money is being paid yet. The lawyers for the plaintiffs will continue to pursue the case against the non-settling defendants. Under the settlement, the funds that remain after Court-approved fees, costs, and expenses are expected to be paid together at the conclusion of the lawsuit, or as ordered by the Court. The exact payment date is not set.Is Proof Required to File a Claim?
Proof requirements have not been announced because the claim form is not yet available. If proof is required, the claim form and official notice will explain what documentation, if any, you need to provide once the claims process opens.Who Are the Lawyers and How Are They Paid?
The Court appointed Kellie Lerner of Shinder Cantor Lerner LLP and Kimberly A. Justice of Freed Kanner London & Millen LLC as Class Counsel. You do not have to hire your own lawyer; Class Counsel works on behalf of the class. You may hire your own lawyer at your own expense if you wish.At the Fairness Hearing, Class Counsel will ask the Court to reimburse certain costs and expenses, to set aside up to $1 million for future litigation costs as the case continues against the other defendants, and for attorneys’ fees not to exceed 33-1/3% of the Settlement Fund. Class Counsel may also ask for service awards not to exceed $7,500 each for the Class Representatives. Any such amounts are subject to Court approval, and the Court may award less than requested. These payments, plus settlement administration costs, would be paid out of the Settlement Fund.
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Official Settlement Notice
Sources
• Official Settlement Website: FragranceConsumerSettlement.com• In re Fragrance End-User Plaintiff Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 2:23-cv-16127-WJM-JSA, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Hon. William J. Martini)
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please submit only truthful and accurate claims when the claims process opens. Submitting false information can result in denial of benefits and potential penalties. If you are unsure whether you qualify, review the official notice on the settlement website. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not the settlement administrator or a law firm.
For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Settlement Amount
$11,000,000 (IFF only)
Case Title
In re Fragrance End-User Plaintiff Antitrust Litigation
Case Number
2:23-cv-16127-WJM-JSA
Court
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Final Approval Hearing
September 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
Fairness Hearing · date and time subject to change
Administrator
Epiq
Official Website
Fragrance Consumer Settlement.com
